With this print, Shuvinai Ashoona captures the 'breath and soul of the earth' at Peggy's Cove

Eight Canadian artists have returned to the famed lithography workshop at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, to work with a master and create some fresh prints. Print's Not Dead follows these artists through the process — how they're making their works and the thinking that informed them.

Wherever she goes, Inuk artist Shuvinai Ashoona connects with the landscape. Listening to how ice shifts in the north, or how the waves break on the rocks at Peggy's Cove, is an integral part of Ashoona's work. She says, "I don't draw simply the surface of the landscape. I feel I am capturing the breath and soul of the earth."

In making a new print to contribute to the resurrection of NSCAD's lithography workshop, Ashoona turned straight to the land. And in this lyrical video made by filmmaker Marcia Connolly, you'll meet the artist as she walks Nova Scotia's topography. She responds to what she feels from the land through poetic stream of consciousness musings that then emanate from her work. And you'll see how in her print, Halipaligazuk Nuzakutaling Kuaniqnii, she managed to actually make herself part of the landscape.

Watch the video:

This video is part of a new CBC Arts series called Print's Not Dead documenting eight artists working in NSCAD's lithography workshop in the present day. You can see the exhibition of these artists' works at NSCAD Lithography Workshop: Contemporary Editions, on view at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia until April 26, 2020.

Find out more about the NSCAD Lithography Workshop and explore the works that have come out of it since 1969 here.

Stream CBC Arts: Exhibitionists or catch it on CBC Television Friday nights at 11:30pm (12am NT) and Sundays at 3:30pm (4pm NT). Watch more videos here.